November 30
As much as we delight in the stories of God’s working among His ancient people the Israelites and as much as we are awed by the commitment of the Apostles to take the gospel of Christ to the known world of their day, yet we are most blessed when we contemplate the Lord’s touch upon our own lives.
We are awed by His faithfulness. We are humbled by His mercy and grace. We know our frame. We know we can be trying—even to other people, let alone to the One who came to earth as the Perfect Man whose sinless life sets us free from the penalty of sin that we incurred to ourselves.
So we bow before Him, we surrender our today and our tomorrows to Him. We commit ourselves to serving Jesus all our days and to sharing our knowledge of Him with others. It is our goal to be part of His ‘team’ that will go where He leads and speak His truth to all nations and tribes.
Why would we sacrifice ‘self’ in order to promote His Kingdom? Because we can proclaim as did the Psalmist in 139:14, “I will praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful and I know this very well.” We cannot deny His goodness to us so everything within us yearns to serve Him.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Yearning for Home
November 29
We live in an expansive country that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. Although a commercial airliner can traverse the land in a matter of three hours, the journey of the pioneers who originally explored and settled this nation required months of arduous travel. Why did they do it?
What motivated them to brave the cold, the deprivation, the attack of unfriendly tribes who saw them as intruders who’d come to steal their land? There were many motivating factors—some negative; some positive—from a desire to tap into the wealth of the land to a yearning to share Christ with native Americans.
One undeniable reason held by many who bore great hardship to help expand the borders of this nation was national pride—a great love of America. The Jewish people, too, have a deep love for the land God has given to them. It began with Joseph, who, when he was expelled from his country by his brothers who sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:27) received the blessing of his father prior to his death that would bring him back to the land of his birth.
Though Joseph had been sold from his homeland but elevated in Egypt, yet he embraced the prayer of Israel in Genesis 48:21, “Look! I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.” We might think he’d prefer to remain in the land where he’d been made second in command with Pharaoh receiving all his counsel, but he yearned after his homeland—as followers of Jesus from all nations yearn for their heavenly home.
We live in an expansive country that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. Although a commercial airliner can traverse the land in a matter of three hours, the journey of the pioneers who originally explored and settled this nation required months of arduous travel. Why did they do it?
What motivated them to brave the cold, the deprivation, the attack of unfriendly tribes who saw them as intruders who’d come to steal their land? There were many motivating factors—some negative; some positive—from a desire to tap into the wealth of the land to a yearning to share Christ with native Americans.
One undeniable reason held by many who bore great hardship to help expand the borders of this nation was national pride—a great love of America. The Jewish people, too, have a deep love for the land God has given to them. It began with Joseph, who, when he was expelled from his country by his brothers who sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:27) received the blessing of his father prior to his death that would bring him back to the land of his birth.
Though Joseph had been sold from his homeland but elevated in Egypt, yet he embraced the prayer of Israel in Genesis 48:21, “Look! I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you back to the land of your fathers.” We might think he’d prefer to remain in the land where he’d been made second in command with Pharaoh receiving all his counsel, but he yearned after his homeland—as followers of Jesus from all nations yearn for their heavenly home.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Our Jealous God
November 28
Our God says of Himself that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). He will not share His glory with another. Neither man nor devil have the right to the worship that is God’s due from mankind. Whether we bow our heart before riches or power or ‘self’ in any form—or hell’s devil—we are an offense to our Holy God.
Most of us haven’t any inclination whatsoever toward the idolatry that was prevalent in the day the Bible was penned by the prophets and scribes who chronicled the Word of God as He set it before them. We don’t bow before idols made with hands, but we bow before our achievements.
We don’t bow before the devil in the form of grotesque ‘gods’ in shrines to demons, but we bow before the demons of our lusts—for power, for wealth, for esteem. And along the way, as we grasp these false gods to ourselves, we may even give a nod toward faith in Jesus. We may give Him ‘lip service’ while our hearts are far from Him.
He says in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. We deceive ourselves if we believe the Lord is content with part of our heart—remember, He won’t, “share His glory with another.” If we say we’re born again, if we claim that we walk after Him, we had better let it be true! He knows our hearts. He demands our full commitment.
Our God says of Himself that He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5). He will not share His glory with another. Neither man nor devil have the right to the worship that is God’s due from mankind. Whether we bow our heart before riches or power or ‘self’ in any form—or hell’s devil—we are an offense to our Holy God.
Most of us haven’t any inclination whatsoever toward the idolatry that was prevalent in the day the Bible was penned by the prophets and scribes who chronicled the Word of God as He set it before them. We don’t bow before idols made with hands, but we bow before our achievements.
We don’t bow before the devil in the form of grotesque ‘gods’ in shrines to demons, but we bow before the demons of our lusts—for power, for wealth, for esteem. And along the way, as we grasp these false gods to ourselves, we may even give a nod toward faith in Jesus. We may give Him ‘lip service’ while our hearts are far from Him.
He says in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. We deceive ourselves if we believe the Lord is content with part of our heart—remember, He won’t, “share His glory with another.” If we say we’re born again, if we claim that we walk after Him, we had better let it be true! He knows our hearts. He demands our full commitment.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
All the Way Home
November 27
In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon, the wisest mere mortal who ever lived said, “Fear (reverence) God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” In Matthew 22:38 and 39, Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
The outcome of adhering to these Biblical admonitions are essentially, two. If we follow the Word in this regard we shall have wonderful relationships in life. We will, “esteem others above ourselves,” as Paul admonished the Philippians in Chapter 2, verse 3, and we will abound in love.
Further, beyond the brief span of time that is allotted to us in this tabernacle of flesh, we shall, because we embraced Jesus as our Savior and allowed His Word to govern us, be co heirs with Him of the unimaginable eternal glory that God has prepared for those who love Him (I Corinthians 2:9).
Like Enoch, a devout man who loved God in the midst of perversity, we shall, “…walk with God” (through life) and slip into eternity with Him at the close of our days (Genesis 5:22-24). There is no greater blessing than to slip our hand into that of Jesus and allow Him to lead us through life’s journey—all the way home.
In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon, the wisest mere mortal who ever lived said, “Fear (reverence) God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” In Matthew 22:38 and 39, Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
The outcome of adhering to these Biblical admonitions are essentially, two. If we follow the Word in this regard we shall have wonderful relationships in life. We will, “esteem others above ourselves,” as Paul admonished the Philippians in Chapter 2, verse 3, and we will abound in love.
Further, beyond the brief span of time that is allotted to us in this tabernacle of flesh, we shall, because we embraced Jesus as our Savior and allowed His Word to govern us, be co heirs with Him of the unimaginable eternal glory that God has prepared for those who love Him (I Corinthians 2:9).
Like Enoch, a devout man who loved God in the midst of perversity, we shall, “…walk with God” (through life) and slip into eternity with Him at the close of our days (Genesis 5:22-24). There is no greater blessing than to slip our hand into that of Jesus and allow Him to lead us through life’s journey—all the way home.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
May our hearts overflow with thanks today because we serve a God who not only fashioned us but who loves us and who set us free from the bonds of sin. We serve a Christ who has taken all our sin and our poverty of spirit upon Himself and given us in its place the righteousness that is His that we might be heirs of the treasure of eternity.
Though He was rich, He became poor for us, that we may be rich (Philippians 2:6,7).
As Thanksgiving bounty overflows our tables and His abundance lavishes our lives, may we be people of gratitude to Jesus who loves us.
Be happy and blessed--and be thankful.
Though He was rich, He became poor for us, that we may be rich (Philippians 2:6,7).
As Thanksgiving bounty overflows our tables and His abundance lavishes our lives, may we be people of gratitude to Jesus who loves us.
Be happy and blessed--and be thankful.
Needn't Ponder
November 25
The sun comes up each morning in an amazing blaze of color across the eastern sky and sets in the west each evening with the same glorious display of vibrant beauty. The seeds that are planted in Spring burst forth to mature in the sunshine and rain of Summer, producing an Autumn harvest of earth’s bounty.
Each day, each season has its wonders to behold as all nature attests to the exquisite imagination of the God who fashioned them. Whether we love Him or not, He has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, tongues to taste, hands to handle the fine works of art and sustenance that He has fashioned for us.
Yet, there is more. If we will, He will lavish us with not only the wonders of the natural world but also with the treasure trove of spiritual riches that He has provided for those who will believe—and who will appropriate them. He has said that He will meet our every need, according to the riches of all He owns.
What an amazing God we serve! In Judges 13:18 He asks, “Why do you ask My name…since it is wonderful!” He challenges us to prove the wonder of who He is! He invites us to behold the glory of Himself! We needn’t ponder the majesty of God. We need only invite Him into our lives that we may see Him as He is.
The sun comes up each morning in an amazing blaze of color across the eastern sky and sets in the west each evening with the same glorious display of vibrant beauty. The seeds that are planted in Spring burst forth to mature in the sunshine and rain of Summer, producing an Autumn harvest of earth’s bounty.
Each day, each season has its wonders to behold as all nature attests to the exquisite imagination of the God who fashioned them. Whether we love Him or not, He has given us eyes to see, ears to hear, tongues to taste, hands to handle the fine works of art and sustenance that He has fashioned for us.
Yet, there is more. If we will, He will lavish us with not only the wonders of the natural world but also with the treasure trove of spiritual riches that He has provided for those who will believe—and who will appropriate them. He has said that He will meet our every need, according to the riches of all He owns.
What an amazing God we serve! In Judges 13:18 He asks, “Why do you ask My name…since it is wonderful!” He challenges us to prove the wonder of who He is! He invites us to behold the glory of Himself! We needn’t ponder the majesty of God. We need only invite Him into our lives that we may see Him as He is.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Safe through the Storm
November 24
People of faith can become conflicted in their faith. Our desire is to be steadfast and firm in our resolve to be God’s people. We pronounce words of truth and profess to stand on the truth of the Word that we proclaim. But there are times in our walk that we falter, times when life’s storms cause us to cower in dread.
We look to the psalmist, with whose words we can identify, and see a man whose heart is unwavering in faith but whose expectation can be compromised by the winds and torrents he is required to face. Like him, we can be tossed about in our resolve by the ebb and flow of life’s waves.
In Psalm 43:2 David says, “You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” While affirming the safety found in the Holy One, while acknowledging the refuge of the fortress of His love, yet the reality of the tumultuous waves overwhelms the believer who cries, “Why?” in his desperation.
Many of us have uttered that, “Why?” Our faith, too, has been shaken by the tempestuous storms of life. Yet, the Lord our God is faithful. He takes us safely through the storms. The storms reveal to us the intensity of the onslaught of the enemy we face, and the storms build our faith, as we recognize the great power of the Lord who takes us through the winds and waves to safety.
People of faith can become conflicted in their faith. Our desire is to be steadfast and firm in our resolve to be God’s people. We pronounce words of truth and profess to stand on the truth of the Word that we proclaim. But there are times in our walk that we falter, times when life’s storms cause us to cower in dread.
We look to the psalmist, with whose words we can identify, and see a man whose heart is unwavering in faith but whose expectation can be compromised by the winds and torrents he is required to face. Like him, we can be tossed about in our resolve by the ebb and flow of life’s waves.
In Psalm 43:2 David says, “You are the God of my refuge. Why have You rejected me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” While affirming the safety found in the Holy One, while acknowledging the refuge of the fortress of His love, yet the reality of the tumultuous waves overwhelms the believer who cries, “Why?” in his desperation.
Many of us have uttered that, “Why?” Our faith, too, has been shaken by the tempestuous storms of life. Yet, the Lord our God is faithful. He takes us safely through the storms. The storms reveal to us the intensity of the onslaught of the enemy we face, and the storms build our faith, as we recognize the great power of the Lord who takes us through the winds and waves to safety.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Those Wonderful Words
November 23
Who is Jesus? There are many answers to that question and to one degree or another, many of them are right. We could say that He was an itinerant preacher who never left the Galilean countryside where He grew up. We could say He was a charismatic personality who drew people to Himself. He was a good man, a profound thinker, a man of sterling character—He never lied, stole or harmed anyone. Some say He embodied all that is noble in the human character.
Some may distort His personhood—claim that He may have done a few good things but that the ultimate assessment of Him requires that He be deemed a liar, for He claimed to be God in the flesh. A Christian writer has said that Jesus was either a liar or a lunatic—or—He is indeed, the LORD!
Revelation 1:17 shares the Apostle John’s vision of Jesus after His death and resurrection. This man who walked beside Him, who saw Him die, then fished with Him after He arose from the grave said, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His hand upon me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’” Like John, we will one day see Jesus in the glory of His Godhead.
It will either be our last view of Him before He points us toward the eternal pit our rejection of Him as Savior requires or it will be our first glimpse of eternity with Him in Heaven. May we be quick to receive Him as Lord and Savior today so we will, like John, hear Him say those wonderful words of comfort as He receives us to Himself, “Don’t be afraid.”
Who is Jesus? There are many answers to that question and to one degree or another, many of them are right. We could say that He was an itinerant preacher who never left the Galilean countryside where He grew up. We could say He was a charismatic personality who drew people to Himself. He was a good man, a profound thinker, a man of sterling character—He never lied, stole or harmed anyone. Some say He embodied all that is noble in the human character.
Some may distort His personhood—claim that He may have done a few good things but that the ultimate assessment of Him requires that He be deemed a liar, for He claimed to be God in the flesh. A Christian writer has said that Jesus was either a liar or a lunatic—or—He is indeed, the LORD!
Revelation 1:17 shares the Apostle John’s vision of Jesus after His death and resurrection. This man who walked beside Him, who saw Him die, then fished with Him after He arose from the grave said, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His hand upon me and said, ‘Don’t be afraid.’” Like John, we will one day see Jesus in the glory of His Godhead.
It will either be our last view of Him before He points us toward the eternal pit our rejection of Him as Savior requires or it will be our first glimpse of eternity with Him in Heaven. May we be quick to receive Him as Lord and Savior today so we will, like John, hear Him say those wonderful words of comfort as He receives us to Himself, “Don’t be afraid.”
Monday, November 22, 2010
Promises
November 22
The psalmist makes a promise in Psalm 71:14-15 that sounds virtually impossible for most of us to keep. Here he says, “I will hope continually and will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell about Your righteousness…all day long.” Continually. More and more. All day long.
Most of us don’t have quite that much confidence in our ability to be steadfast and faithful. Most of us have buckled under pressure. We know our frame. We know we can be weak instead of strong. We can be doubting rather than faithful. We can be empty rather than filled when we need faith most.
But the Lord who loves us has taken our frailty into account. He knows that we have the inclination to falter when the burden we are carrying becomes more than we can bear. So Jesus invites us to, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” I Peter 5:7.
He further gives the assurance that when we are weak, His strength will, “…be made perfect within us” II Corinthians 12:9. As His grace saves us through our faith (Ephesians 2:8), so does His grace keep us when we are unable to stand strong in the faith that we profess (Jude 24).
The psalmist makes a promise in Psalm 71:14-15 that sounds virtually impossible for most of us to keep. Here he says, “I will hope continually and will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell about Your righteousness…all day long.” Continually. More and more. All day long.
Most of us don’t have quite that much confidence in our ability to be steadfast and faithful. Most of us have buckled under pressure. We know our frame. We know we can be weak instead of strong. We can be doubting rather than faithful. We can be empty rather than filled when we need faith most.
But the Lord who loves us has taken our frailty into account. He knows that we have the inclination to falter when the burden we are carrying becomes more than we can bear. So Jesus invites us to, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” I Peter 5:7.
He further gives the assurance that when we are weak, His strength will, “…be made perfect within us” II Corinthians 12:9. As His grace saves us through our faith (Ephesians 2:8), so does His grace keep us when we are unable to stand strong in the faith that we profess (Jude 24).
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Refrain from Naughtiness
November 21
At times we think God is totally opposed to anything we do that smacks even slightly of ‘fun.’ He seems to have a very rigid standard to which He holds us if we profess to believe in Him. From engaging in illicit romantic activity to cheating on taxes, He holds our feet to the fire.
One area that we may not readily discern as being on His list of ‘Don’ts,’ is the words that we utter. We enjoy a good joke. Slightly off-color humor is part and parcel of our TV watching fare and we certainly hear the nuance of suggestive humor from the masters-of-ceremony of gatherings of almost every sort.
It’s inoffensive humor to all but the most straight-laced among us, but it’s not inoffensive to God. Many of us can personally attest to lapses into questionable comments that we might make in order to prove ourselves to be witty or to be one of the guys. We don’t want to seem prudish so we allow small compromises to enter our speech.
In II Timothy 2:16, the Apostle Paul writes to his spiritual son, “Avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.” What seems to be a harmless utterance, according to Paul, has the potential of opening the floodgate of questionable communication. In order to be in God’s will, we must refrain from all naughtiness of not only action but also speech.
At times we think God is totally opposed to anything we do that smacks even slightly of ‘fun.’ He seems to have a very rigid standard to which He holds us if we profess to believe in Him. From engaging in illicit romantic activity to cheating on taxes, He holds our feet to the fire.
One area that we may not readily discern as being on His list of ‘Don’ts,’ is the words that we utter. We enjoy a good joke. Slightly off-color humor is part and parcel of our TV watching fare and we certainly hear the nuance of suggestive humor from the masters-of-ceremony of gatherings of almost every sort.
It’s inoffensive humor to all but the most straight-laced among us, but it’s not inoffensive to God. Many of us can personally attest to lapses into questionable comments that we might make in order to prove ourselves to be witty or to be one of the guys. We don’t want to seem prudish so we allow small compromises to enter our speech.
In II Timothy 2:16, the Apostle Paul writes to his spiritual son, “Avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.” What seems to be a harmless utterance, according to Paul, has the potential of opening the floodgate of questionable communication. In order to be in God’s will, we must refrain from all naughtiness of not only action but also speech.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Jacob's Dysfunctional Family
November 20
Jacob had a dysfunctional family. His children were the offspring of two mothers, one of whom was loved and the other who was not. The children of these women grew up with the shadow of their father’s inequity toward their mothers hanging over them. Many children today are under that same shadow.
The consequence of Jacob’s favoritism toward the child of his preferred wife had devastating ramifications. His older children hated their younger sibling because their father loved him best –and he made no secret of his preference. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers; their father was told that he was dead, so Jacob spent years without knowing his son was alive and thriving!
Jacob suffered deep anguish at the apparent loss of Joseph. He must have reflected many times upon the role he had played and the punishment that seemed to have been meted out against him by God for his unfairness to his older sons. But imagine His joy when he discovered that Joseph had not died! That he was alive and well and ruling Egypt! Imagine his recognition of the goodness of God when he realized that Joseph had forgiven all!
In Hebrews 11:21, we are given a snippet of the work of healing that the Lord did in Jacob’s dysfunctional family. Here, “By faith Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and he worshiped.” The son he had loved and lost was restored to him. He saw his grandchildren. He was given the privilege of seeing his entire family reconciled. We who have also made mistakes in child rearing, have the same God in Whom to hope for family healing.
Jacob had a dysfunctional family. His children were the offspring of two mothers, one of whom was loved and the other who was not. The children of these women grew up with the shadow of their father’s inequity toward their mothers hanging over them. Many children today are under that same shadow.
The consequence of Jacob’s favoritism toward the child of his preferred wife had devastating ramifications. His older children hated their younger sibling because their father loved him best –and he made no secret of his preference. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers; their father was told that he was dead, so Jacob spent years without knowing his son was alive and thriving!
Jacob suffered deep anguish at the apparent loss of Joseph. He must have reflected many times upon the role he had played and the punishment that seemed to have been meted out against him by God for his unfairness to his older sons. But imagine His joy when he discovered that Joseph had not died! That he was alive and well and ruling Egypt! Imagine his recognition of the goodness of God when he realized that Joseph had forgiven all!
In Hebrews 11:21, we are given a snippet of the work of healing that the Lord did in Jacob’s dysfunctional family. Here, “By faith Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and he worshiped.” The son he had loved and lost was restored to him. He saw his grandchildren. He was given the privilege of seeing his entire family reconciled. We who have also made mistakes in child rearing, have the same God in Whom to hope for family healing.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Poor Today but Heir Tomorrow
November 19
We’ve all chuckled at the old joke, “You may be richer but my kids are better looking.” It’s our way of laughing at the discrepancies that exist among us and recognizing that though some may be favored in one area, life ‘balances out’ in the final analysis.
As the Word says, “The sun shines on the just and on the unjust. The rain falls on the just and on the unjust” Matthew 5:45. Though we may not always have things as we’d prefer them to be, we must acknowledge that ultimately, God is fair.
The one area of human existence in which the reality of that plays out most significantly is in the spiritual realm. All men need a Savior and Jesus has come to rescue every man who will allow Him to have Lordship of his life from the ravages of sin. It’s not just the smart, the attractive, the wealthy who may come.
People from every nation, kindred and tribe; from every social strata, are invited to Jesus. James 2:5 says, “Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom He has promised to those who love Him?” We may not be wealthy, but through Christ all men can become heirs of heaven.
We’ve all chuckled at the old joke, “You may be richer but my kids are better looking.” It’s our way of laughing at the discrepancies that exist among us and recognizing that though some may be favored in one area, life ‘balances out’ in the final analysis.
As the Word says, “The sun shines on the just and on the unjust. The rain falls on the just and on the unjust” Matthew 5:45. Though we may not always have things as we’d prefer them to be, we must acknowledge that ultimately, God is fair.
The one area of human existence in which the reality of that plays out most significantly is in the spiritual realm. All men need a Savior and Jesus has come to rescue every man who will allow Him to have Lordship of his life from the ravages of sin. It’s not just the smart, the attractive, the wealthy who may come.
People from every nation, kindred and tribe; from every social strata, are invited to Jesus. James 2:5 says, “Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom He has promised to those who love Him?” We may not be wealthy, but through Christ all men can become heirs of heaven.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Stand on the Word
November 18
Tumultuous times are forecast for the end of days. Biblical references flow through the pages of scripture that tell of the wars, pestilence, disease, and anarchy that will accompany man’s departure from the Word and his embrace of the world system that will overarch all areas of life prior to Jesus’ return.
What are we to do as believers when we see our government turn from its lofty foundation of faith in Nature’s God and the truth proclaimed in His holy Word the Bible? What are we to do as we see men’s hearts failing them for fear as the end of all things looms before us?
In Psalm 74:19-20, we are given an insight into the heart of God whose servant penned the words found here. The psalmist says, “Do not forget the lives of Your poor people forever. Consider the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of violence.”
When evil seems to be on the ascendancy, when faith and reason no longer seem to be in agreement in the earth, the man of faith must affirm the covenant he has made with the Holy One. Jesus has given Himself and the believer has placed his life at His feet. No matter what evil tidings befall, stand on the Word who cannot fail.
Tumultuous times are forecast for the end of days. Biblical references flow through the pages of scripture that tell of the wars, pestilence, disease, and anarchy that will accompany man’s departure from the Word and his embrace of the world system that will overarch all areas of life prior to Jesus’ return.
What are we to do as believers when we see our government turn from its lofty foundation of faith in Nature’s God and the truth proclaimed in His holy Word the Bible? What are we to do as we see men’s hearts failing them for fear as the end of all things looms before us?
In Psalm 74:19-20, we are given an insight into the heart of God whose servant penned the words found here. The psalmist says, “Do not forget the lives of Your poor people forever. Consider the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of violence.”
When evil seems to be on the ascendancy, when faith and reason no longer seem to be in agreement in the earth, the man of faith must affirm the covenant he has made with the Holy One. Jesus has given Himself and the believer has placed his life at His feet. No matter what evil tidings befall, stand on the Word who cannot fail.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Face of the Father
November 17
Disappointment abounds. Family, friends, lovers, governments have had their part in undermining the hope of virtually everyone who’s ever walked the earth. As Jesus hung on the cross, even He cried out to His Father, “…Why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34)
Although we know God had to turn His back on Jesus as He bore the sin all mankind had committed and suffered the death all mankind deserved to die because He cannot look upon sin—and, of course, Jesus knew that—still at the moment He yearned most for the oneness He had with the Father, He had it not.
The abandonment of Jesus to the consequence of our sin was a one-time event. It was required that He be the sole bearer of God’s righteous requirement that sin be punished and He agreed to it when our Triune God took counsel with Himself and devised the plan before the foundation of the earth (Revelation 13:8).
For the rest of us, there is no turning of the face of the Father from our need. Along with our death, Jesus took our abandonment. In Luke 18:7 we receive the words of assurance of His ever-present help: “Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? He will not delay His help to them.”
Disappointment abounds. Family, friends, lovers, governments have had their part in undermining the hope of virtually everyone who’s ever walked the earth. As Jesus hung on the cross, even He cried out to His Father, “…Why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34)
Although we know God had to turn His back on Jesus as He bore the sin all mankind had committed and suffered the death all mankind deserved to die because He cannot look upon sin—and, of course, Jesus knew that—still at the moment He yearned most for the oneness He had with the Father, He had it not.
The abandonment of Jesus to the consequence of our sin was a one-time event. It was required that He be the sole bearer of God’s righteous requirement that sin be punished and He agreed to it when our Triune God took counsel with Himself and devised the plan before the foundation of the earth (Revelation 13:8).
For the rest of us, there is no turning of the face of the Father from our need. Along with our death, Jesus took our abandonment. In Luke 18:7 we receive the words of assurance of His ever-present help: “Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? He will not delay His help to them.”
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The High Price of Recalcitrance
November 16
Our Father God desires the best for His people in every area of life. We tend to count our blessings in the things we can touch, taste, spend. He does not. The Lord wants us to have sufficiency in all things, but He does not count ‘things’ as being our sufficiency.
If He did, why would He allow any believer to go to bed hungry? Why would the child of any person of faith be without a good education? Why would revival not cover the earth and every lost, unbelieving soul be swept into the arc of safety before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives?
The fact that this is not happening is evidence that God, although He wants to bless mankind with every good and perfect gift, will not force His gifts upon anyone. Nehemiah 9:20 says, “You sent Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths.” God’s supply is complete, but man’s receptivity to it is sometimes negligible.
When we fail to employ wisdom in our agricultural or business or governmental arenas, He will not supersede our choices. When we turn our backs on the eternal salvation He has provided through the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, He will not force acceptance upon us. Yet there is a price to pay—in time and in eternity—for our recalcitrance.
Our Father God desires the best for His people in every area of life. We tend to count our blessings in the things we can touch, taste, spend. He does not. The Lord wants us to have sufficiency in all things, but He does not count ‘things’ as being our sufficiency.
If He did, why would He allow any believer to go to bed hungry? Why would the child of any person of faith be without a good education? Why would revival not cover the earth and every lost, unbelieving soul be swept into the arc of safety before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives?
The fact that this is not happening is evidence that God, although He wants to bless mankind with every good and perfect gift, will not force His gifts upon anyone. Nehemiah 9:20 says, “You sent Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths.” God’s supply is complete, but man’s receptivity to it is sometimes negligible.
When we fail to employ wisdom in our agricultural or business or governmental arenas, He will not supersede our choices. When we turn our backs on the eternal salvation He has provided through the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, He will not force acceptance upon us. Yet there is a price to pay—in time and in eternity—for our recalcitrance.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Fiscal and Spiritual Responsibility
November 15
The United States and the world are facing rough economic times. Greece has gone bankrupt, and the richest, most powerful nation that has ever existed just may follow close behind. Some government officials who value fiscal responsibility have stated they won’t be party to perpetuating an untenable debt.
In Luke 14:28, Jesus posed this timeless question to His followers: “Which of you, before building a tower, doesn’t first sit down to calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” The Lord’s clear meaning is that His people are not to ‘bite off more than they can chew’ when it comes to debt.
Yet, there is a deeper meaning in these words the Lord spoke to His disciples. Yes, we are to be responsible with our financial resources. Yes, we are to assure our ability to pay before we incur debt. No, we are not to leave others hanging with the consequences of our default. But there is a spiritual element to what Jesus said whose importance transcends that of any mere financial agreement to which we may enter.
Jesus always maintains His focus on the spiritual. He will never prioritize the temporal over the eternal. We, then, must weigh the consequences of our decisions in the light of eternity. Boiled down to its essence, what He is saying is, “Do not be focused on the matters of time. Be focused on the matters of eternity. Do not become rich in the things of the world at the expense of the spiritual treasure you must lay up in heaven.”
The United States and the world are facing rough economic times. Greece has gone bankrupt, and the richest, most powerful nation that has ever existed just may follow close behind. Some government officials who value fiscal responsibility have stated they won’t be party to perpetuating an untenable debt.
In Luke 14:28, Jesus posed this timeless question to His followers: “Which of you, before building a tower, doesn’t first sit down to calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” The Lord’s clear meaning is that His people are not to ‘bite off more than they can chew’ when it comes to debt.
Yet, there is a deeper meaning in these words the Lord spoke to His disciples. Yes, we are to be responsible with our financial resources. Yes, we are to assure our ability to pay before we incur debt. No, we are not to leave others hanging with the consequences of our default. But there is a spiritual element to what Jesus said whose importance transcends that of any mere financial agreement to which we may enter.
Jesus always maintains His focus on the spiritual. He will never prioritize the temporal over the eternal. We, then, must weigh the consequences of our decisions in the light of eternity. Boiled down to its essence, what He is saying is, “Do not be focused on the matters of time. Be focused on the matters of eternity. Do not become rich in the things of the world at the expense of the spiritual treasure you must lay up in heaven.”
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Sustaining Truth
November 14
One thing an unregenerate man cannot abide is the notion that apart from God he is nothing. That simply does not compute for the individual who thinks he is a self-made man. It is impossible for someone who thinks he’s in charge of his life to reconcile the Lord’s assertion in John 15:5, “Without Me, you can do nothing,” to himself.
Instead of leaning upon the omnipotence of God and taking comfort in the power He extends to man to gain wealth, to accrue knowledge, to discover the wonders of the universe, to simply draw his next breath, the denier of the Lord simply closes his eyes to the reality of the ‘God factor’ in his life.
Conversely, the individual who acknowledges the keeping and sustaining power of God, who leans upon Him, who abides in His mercy and grace, takes great comfort in the awareness that it is not his own strength, his own wisdom, or his own ability that assure his success in life’s endeavors.
The person of faith builds the totality of his life upon the reality stated in Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils.” Without Him, we are mere dust. With Him, we have the God-infused breath of life coursing through us—that is sustaining truth!
One thing an unregenerate man cannot abide is the notion that apart from God he is nothing. That simply does not compute for the individual who thinks he is a self-made man. It is impossible for someone who thinks he’s in charge of his life to reconcile the Lord’s assertion in John 15:5, “Without Me, you can do nothing,” to himself.
Instead of leaning upon the omnipotence of God and taking comfort in the power He extends to man to gain wealth, to accrue knowledge, to discover the wonders of the universe, to simply draw his next breath, the denier of the Lord simply closes his eyes to the reality of the ‘God factor’ in his life.
Conversely, the individual who acknowledges the keeping and sustaining power of God, who leans upon Him, who abides in His mercy and grace, takes great comfort in the awareness that it is not his own strength, his own wisdom, or his own ability that assure his success in life’s endeavors.
The person of faith builds the totality of his life upon the reality stated in Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils.” Without Him, we are mere dust. With Him, we have the God-infused breath of life coursing through us—that is sustaining truth!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Comfort vs. Disconcertion
November 13
Depending upon the status of your relationship with God or your lack thereof, it is very comforting or very disconcerting to know that He is totally aware of you – He sees your inner man and your external circumstances with utmost clarity. There is nothing about you that is hidden from Him.
This gives great comfort to the individual who yearns after the presence of God in his life and desires to see the manifestation of the power of the Holy One in all that regards his existence. To the one who is fleeing from God, living a life contrary to His will, this is a worrisome notion, for he prefers to keep his deeds secret.
Yet, the omnipresence of God is a reality. Whether in the life of the believer who longs to be near Him or that of the scoffer who denies Him, He is an ever-present, all knowing entity. Psalm 139 conveys the reality of His presence. It sets forth an awesome array of the aspects of our glorious Lord’s attendant watch-care upon His people. There is an amazing truth in verses 7-10:
“Where can I flee from Your Spirit? If I ascend into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in hell, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost depths of the sea, even there shall Your hand lead me…” The conclusion of the passage in vs. 14, “…marvelous are Your works…” adds to our comfort in knowing He knows us—or to our disconcertion!
Depending upon the status of your relationship with God or your lack thereof, it is very comforting or very disconcerting to know that He is totally aware of you – He sees your inner man and your external circumstances with utmost clarity. There is nothing about you that is hidden from Him.
This gives great comfort to the individual who yearns after the presence of God in his life and desires to see the manifestation of the power of the Holy One in all that regards his existence. To the one who is fleeing from God, living a life contrary to His will, this is a worrisome notion, for he prefers to keep his deeds secret.
Yet, the omnipresence of God is a reality. Whether in the life of the believer who longs to be near Him or that of the scoffer who denies Him, He is an ever-present, all knowing entity. Psalm 139 conveys the reality of His presence. It sets forth an awesome array of the aspects of our glorious Lord’s attendant watch-care upon His people. There is an amazing truth in verses 7-10:
“Where can I flee from Your Spirit? If I ascend into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in hell, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost depths of the sea, even there shall Your hand lead me…” The conclusion of the passage in vs. 14, “…marvelous are Your works…” adds to our comfort in knowing He knows us—or to our disconcertion!
Friday, November 12, 2010
One Way
November 12
There are myriad paths to destruction, but there is only one way to Heaven and that one way is Jesus. We have all heard of the fervency of the religious pilgrim who is willing to crawl on his knees to the shrine of one of his many ‘gods,’ dragging his forehead along the ground to reach the object of his worship.
We know too well of the zealot who is willing to strap explosives to his body in order to kill and maim those unfortunate, innocent individuals whose beliefs do not embrace his own. We know of the sacrifice of the children of animists to their false gods.
We stand aghast at the demonic ideas that misguided souls are willing to impose upon those who do not share their belief system, that require the shedding of blood—their own and that of others. To live, someone must bleed and die. In just one belief system is it God who dies so man may live. Only JESUS’ blood can cover our sin.
Our Triune God spoke of the infallibility of His plan in Isaiah 45:18-19, where He said, “I am the Lord and there is no other…I, the Lord, speak truthfully. I say what is right.” No other plan works. No other god saves. Only that plan set forth in the Throne Room of Heaven of “…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth,” Revelation 13:8, can satisfy the Lord’s just requirement for sin.
There are myriad paths to destruction, but there is only one way to Heaven and that one way is Jesus. We have all heard of the fervency of the religious pilgrim who is willing to crawl on his knees to the shrine of one of his many ‘gods,’ dragging his forehead along the ground to reach the object of his worship.
We know too well of the zealot who is willing to strap explosives to his body in order to kill and maim those unfortunate, innocent individuals whose beliefs do not embrace his own. We know of the sacrifice of the children of animists to their false gods.
We stand aghast at the demonic ideas that misguided souls are willing to impose upon those who do not share their belief system, that require the shedding of blood—their own and that of others. To live, someone must bleed and die. In just one belief system is it God who dies so man may live. Only JESUS’ blood can cover our sin.
Our Triune God spoke of the infallibility of His plan in Isaiah 45:18-19, where He said, “I am the Lord and there is no other…I, the Lord, speak truthfully. I say what is right.” No other plan works. No other god saves. Only that plan set forth in the Throne Room of Heaven of “…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth,” Revelation 13:8, can satisfy the Lord’s just requirement for sin.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
HONOR OUR VETERANS
May we honor our VETERANS--those who have served bravely so our nation may be strong and free.
May we humbly ask of the Lord to heal this land, to restore it to its Christian foundation. May He not allow indifferent citizens and unpatriotic politicians to squander away what the VETERANS have sacrificed so much to secure.
May we humbly ask of the Lord to heal this land, to restore it to its Christian foundation. May He not allow indifferent citizens and unpatriotic politicians to squander away what the VETERANS have sacrificed so much to secure.
Jesus Is Truth
November 11
The TRUTH is in Jesus. Jesus is the TRUTH. Anything apart from that simple assessment of the veracity of faith is contrary to TRUTH and therefore contrary to Jesus Himself. We cannot, in other words, establish our own truth. We can find TRUTH. We can embrace TRUTH. We can reject TRUTH.
We have no other options. In the feast of religious information that exists regarding matters of time, and more essentially matters of eternity, God has not set a smorgasbord before us. He has set absolutes before us. Oh, yes, there is a smorgasbord of religious notions, but God is not responsible for misinformation.
The enemy of our souls has sought from his first encounter with man in the garden to interject error into human perception of truth. Man has from that time forward, sought to pick and choose his beliefs and often has selected tenets of faith that are not Biblical and are not TRUTH. The evil one has instilled a fervency in those who err. And his lies expedite their destruction.
Ephesians 4:20, 21 points out that all which is purported to be truth is not: “That is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you heard Him and were taught by Him, because the TRUTH is in Jesus.” If we stray from the Lord’s own representation of Himself, we are lost in error and need the Word to help us find our way back to Him, back to the TRUTH.
The TRUTH is in Jesus. Jesus is the TRUTH. Anything apart from that simple assessment of the veracity of faith is contrary to TRUTH and therefore contrary to Jesus Himself. We cannot, in other words, establish our own truth. We can find TRUTH. We can embrace TRUTH. We can reject TRUTH.
We have no other options. In the feast of religious information that exists regarding matters of time, and more essentially matters of eternity, God has not set a smorgasbord before us. He has set absolutes before us. Oh, yes, there is a smorgasbord of religious notions, but God is not responsible for misinformation.
The enemy of our souls has sought from his first encounter with man in the garden to interject error into human perception of truth. Man has from that time forward, sought to pick and choose his beliefs and often has selected tenets of faith that are not Biblical and are not TRUTH. The evil one has instilled a fervency in those who err. And his lies expedite their destruction.
Ephesians 4:20, 21 points out that all which is purported to be truth is not: “That is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you heard Him and were taught by Him, because the TRUTH is in Jesus.” If we stray from the Lord’s own representation of Himself, we are lost in error and need the Word to help us find our way back to Him, back to the TRUTH.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Human Wisdom vs. the Spirit
November 10
I Corinthians 2:13 says, “We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit.” This makes it abundantly clear that the wisdom of God is not something that is acquired by human understanding.
The natural pursuit of knowledge does not impart spiritual wisdom to a man. Though he may be wise in the ways of the world, his ‘human wisdom’ will avail him nothing in the realm of the eternal. The insight that can promote a man’s interests in life, accrue nothing to his spiritual account.
Because we were designed for eternity, there is a longing deep within us that will remain unsatisfied if all we do is toward the end of our temporal advancement. We are created for fellowship with the Holy One and unless and until we direct our endeavors toward Him, we cannot be spiritually wise.
If, however, we apply ourselves to the things of the Lord, we have His assurance that the One He has sent, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will teach us all things (John 14:26). It is those things taught to us by the Holy Spirit that shall illumine our eyes to see the things that matter not only in time but in eternity.
I Corinthians 2:13 says, “We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit.” This makes it abundantly clear that the wisdom of God is not something that is acquired by human understanding.
The natural pursuit of knowledge does not impart spiritual wisdom to a man. Though he may be wise in the ways of the world, his ‘human wisdom’ will avail him nothing in the realm of the eternal. The insight that can promote a man’s interests in life, accrue nothing to his spiritual account.
Because we were designed for eternity, there is a longing deep within us that will remain unsatisfied if all we do is toward the end of our temporal advancement. We are created for fellowship with the Holy One and unless and until we direct our endeavors toward Him, we cannot be spiritually wise.
If, however, we apply ourselves to the things of the Lord, we have His assurance that the One He has sent, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will teach us all things (John 14:26). It is those things taught to us by the Holy Spirit that shall illumine our eyes to see the things that matter not only in time but in eternity.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Knowledge vs. Wisdom
November 9
Knowledge is something that is acquired through diligent application of study. Our pursuit of facts can lead us into volumes of books and into intent observation of what is transpiring around us. We seek insight into financial, social, and geo-political matters and our understanding increases as we study.
We can become expert in a particular field of knowledge. Our astute application of facts in an area of endeavor may establish our reputation as being one of great influence in matters of finance, for example, or as individuals to whom others may turn for guidance in areas of personal concern.
But there is one realm where diligent study does not afford us a strong fortress of knowledge from which we may securely survey our interests. That one realm involves wisdom. Wisdom, unlike knowledge, is not acquired through study. Wisdom comes from being at the feet of Jesus and asking it of Him.
In James 1:5 we are told, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally…and it will be given to him.” The Lord imparts wisdom to those who are close to Him relationally, to those who sit at His feet and allow Him to pour of Himself upon them.
Knowledge is something that is acquired through diligent application of study. Our pursuit of facts can lead us into volumes of books and into intent observation of what is transpiring around us. We seek insight into financial, social, and geo-political matters and our understanding increases as we study.
We can become expert in a particular field of knowledge. Our astute application of facts in an area of endeavor may establish our reputation as being one of great influence in matters of finance, for example, or as individuals to whom others may turn for guidance in areas of personal concern.
But there is one realm where diligent study does not afford us a strong fortress of knowledge from which we may securely survey our interests. That one realm involves wisdom. Wisdom, unlike knowledge, is not acquired through study. Wisdom comes from being at the feet of Jesus and asking it of Him.
In James 1:5 we are told, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally…and it will be given to him.” The Lord imparts wisdom to those who are close to Him relationally, to those who sit at His feet and allow Him to pour of Himself upon them.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Don't Be Afraid
November 8
We shudder to think of the tribulation and misfortune that befell the apostles of Jesus. The reality of their lives was a far cry from the pleasant, pastoral paintings in our children’s story books. The idyllic pictures that portray their labor to propagate the good news of Christ just scratch the surface of reality.
We know they were misunderstood and mocked. We know they were beaten and stoned and left for dead when angry mobs wearied of their message. Even the forces of nature were at times arrayed against them as they journeyed the known world to share the gospel.
Their courage under the hostility of man and the ravages of nature reminds us that we must face the tribulations of life with the same resolve that compelled them to go forward despite adversity. We have their example of perseverance to fortify our own determination to witness Jesus to the lost. We also have the word of the Lord Himself to Paul when he was shipwrecked while endeavoring to reach Italy so he could minister there.
In Acts 27:24 Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar and God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.” As with Paul, our purpose will be achieved. He has set our course and He will enable us to attain our destination. We and those with us will reach the goal He has charted for us. We may have a dangerous journey over a tumultuous sea but He will see us to our destination as He has done for the faithful through the ages.
We shudder to think of the tribulation and misfortune that befell the apostles of Jesus. The reality of their lives was a far cry from the pleasant, pastoral paintings in our children’s story books. The idyllic pictures that portray their labor to propagate the good news of Christ just scratch the surface of reality.
We know they were misunderstood and mocked. We know they were beaten and stoned and left for dead when angry mobs wearied of their message. Even the forces of nature were at times arrayed against them as they journeyed the known world to share the gospel.
Their courage under the hostility of man and the ravages of nature reminds us that we must face the tribulations of life with the same resolve that compelled them to go forward despite adversity. We have their example of perseverance to fortify our own determination to witness Jesus to the lost. We also have the word of the Lord Himself to Paul when he was shipwrecked while endeavoring to reach Italy so he could minister there.
In Acts 27:24 Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar and God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.” As with Paul, our purpose will be achieved. He has set our course and He will enable us to attain our destination. We and those with us will reach the goal He has charted for us. We may have a dangerous journey over a tumultuous sea but He will see us to our destination as He has done for the faithful through the ages.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Fervent and Steadfast
November 7
It is important to be fervent and steadfast in prayer. The inclination of most of us is not to press forward with our requests to the Lord but to stop short of the realization of the thing for which we supplicate. How is it that we give up rather than pray through? Why do we give up?
There is a mindset that has infested the Christian outlook and it is not scriptural. We have become so accustomed to the quick fix mentality, to the instant gratification syndrome of the age that we apply the world’s mindset to the Word and to the promises contained within our holy book.
We have forgotten the words of the Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 1:11 which adjure us to, “…always pray...that our God will…fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith.” We are to always pray. It doesn’t say we are to pray until we weary of waiting!
We must recognize that the Lord has a dual purpose for our prayers—to fulfill every desire for goodness within us and our circumstances and to accomplish the work of faith. As we pray, as we wait upon Him, we are perfected in the inner man and we are equipped to further His purposes in the lives of those around us.
It is important to be fervent and steadfast in prayer. The inclination of most of us is not to press forward with our requests to the Lord but to stop short of the realization of the thing for which we supplicate. How is it that we give up rather than pray through? Why do we give up?
There is a mindset that has infested the Christian outlook and it is not scriptural. We have become so accustomed to the quick fix mentality, to the instant gratification syndrome of the age that we apply the world’s mindset to the Word and to the promises contained within our holy book.
We have forgotten the words of the Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 1:11 which adjure us to, “…always pray...that our God will…fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith.” We are to always pray. It doesn’t say we are to pray until we weary of waiting!
We must recognize that the Lord has a dual purpose for our prayers—to fulfill every desire for goodness within us and our circumstances and to accomplish the work of faith. As we pray, as we wait upon Him, we are perfected in the inner man and we are equipped to further His purposes in the lives of those around us.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Sure
November 6
How can we be sure the words of the Bible are true for us today? How can we know the Lord didn’t mean the gifts and promises for just the early church? Some theorize that the extraordinary evidence of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in believers was necessary to ‘jump start’ the church.
They further believe that such means are no longer necessary because we have the entirety of the Bible now—and that is all we need for effective Christian living. One major fallacy to that argument is the question that springs logically from it: How can having the Bible be enough if part of it isn’t true any longer?
No, it seems people of faith have simply found a convenient argument to rationalize their own lack of power! We can no longer say as did Peter in Acts 3:6 when he encountered the lame beggar at the Temple, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” so we argue the gifts of the Spirit away!
But this doesn’t seem to be what God had in mind in Deuteronomy 7:9 where Moses said of Him, “God keeps His gracious covenant loyally for a thousand generations with whose who love Him and keep His commands. For a thousand generations? Indeed, this seems to affirm that His Word—all of it—shall stand forever!
How can we be sure the words of the Bible are true for us today? How can we know the Lord didn’t mean the gifts and promises for just the early church? Some theorize that the extraordinary evidence of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in believers was necessary to ‘jump start’ the church.
They further believe that such means are no longer necessary because we have the entirety of the Bible now—and that is all we need for effective Christian living. One major fallacy to that argument is the question that springs logically from it: How can having the Bible be enough if part of it isn’t true any longer?
No, it seems people of faith have simply found a convenient argument to rationalize their own lack of power! We can no longer say as did Peter in Acts 3:6 when he encountered the lame beggar at the Temple, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” so we argue the gifts of the Spirit away!
But this doesn’t seem to be what God had in mind in Deuteronomy 7:9 where Moses said of Him, “God keeps His gracious covenant loyally for a thousand generations with whose who love Him and keep His commands. For a thousand generations? Indeed, this seems to affirm that His Word—all of it—shall stand forever!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Mighty Then, Mighty Now
November 5
What made Jesus so effective as a healer and a preacher in His day? Why did throngs of people follow Him into the desert and to the seashore? Why did they abandon their daily routines in order to hear this itinerant rebel proclaim the Word of God in a new way?
There are the standard reasons given for His amazing influence over the people who heard Him, and there is great veracity to each of them. Yes, people flocked to hear Jesus because there was little in the way of diversion available to them--and He provided an extraordinary one.
Yes, miraculous events occurred wherever He went and this was a tremendous blessing—blind eyes were opened, lame legs could walk, deaf ears could hear, broken lives were made new in whatever way the need required. In an age when medical and financial resources were negligible, Jesus offered free solutions to life’s most challenging problems.
But it was more than any one or than the sum of all of those reasons that compelled people to turn to Jesus and to follow Him. It is the same reason Paul tells us will compel the unbelievers of our day to turn to the Lord. In Ephesians 4:15 he says, “Speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way to be like Christ Jesus.” The truth in love—mighty then; mighty now—is just like Jesus.
What made Jesus so effective as a healer and a preacher in His day? Why did throngs of people follow Him into the desert and to the seashore? Why did they abandon their daily routines in order to hear this itinerant rebel proclaim the Word of God in a new way?
There are the standard reasons given for His amazing influence over the people who heard Him, and there is great veracity to each of them. Yes, people flocked to hear Jesus because there was little in the way of diversion available to them--and He provided an extraordinary one.
Yes, miraculous events occurred wherever He went and this was a tremendous blessing—blind eyes were opened, lame legs could walk, deaf ears could hear, broken lives were made new in whatever way the need required. In an age when medical and financial resources were negligible, Jesus offered free solutions to life’s most challenging problems.
But it was more than any one or than the sum of all of those reasons that compelled people to turn to Jesus and to follow Him. It is the same reason Paul tells us will compel the unbelievers of our day to turn to the Lord. In Ephesians 4:15 he says, “Speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way to be like Christ Jesus.” The truth in love—mighty then; mighty now—is just like Jesus.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
False Accusations
November 4
False accusations. There’s hardly a person alive who has not at some point in life borne the weight of being, if not falsely accused, at least misunderstood. Many have spent time incarcerated due to the misinterpretation of evidence that resulted in prison sentences. Jesus was sentenced to death on trumped up charges.
The weight of being ill perceived due to erroneous argumentation that affirmed guilt is a heavy burden. It is perhaps heavier than the weight of bearing actual guilt. When our actions are misrepresented, or our motives are misunderstood, we are perplexed—it caused the Lord to cry out to the Father, “Why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).
Paul knew what it was like to be misunderstood. He had spent a lifetime building a reputation within the Hebrew religion. He was, by his own account, “a Hebrew of the Hebrews…a Pharisee…” Philippians 3:5, but by verse 8, Paul had concluded that all he’d accomplished in his own strength was, “…but dung.” So when in Acts 19:26, it was said of him, “This man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods,” the apostle was able to stand against the lies!
Paul was able to continue to proclaim Jesus boldly. Though he stood before judges who misunderstood and maligned him, he remained faithful. Though he faced hardship and imprisonment and torture and ultimately death for doing so, he would not be silent! Like him, may we not be intimidated by erroneous perceptions of ourselves or our motives. Though our faith may be maligned, our motives distorted, may we be emboldened by the truth we bear to steadfastly declare it to the lost—no matter what the cost!
False accusations. There’s hardly a person alive who has not at some point in life borne the weight of being, if not falsely accused, at least misunderstood. Many have spent time incarcerated due to the misinterpretation of evidence that resulted in prison sentences. Jesus was sentenced to death on trumped up charges.
The weight of being ill perceived due to erroneous argumentation that affirmed guilt is a heavy burden. It is perhaps heavier than the weight of bearing actual guilt. When our actions are misrepresented, or our motives are misunderstood, we are perplexed—it caused the Lord to cry out to the Father, “Why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34).
Paul knew what it was like to be misunderstood. He had spent a lifetime building a reputation within the Hebrew religion. He was, by his own account, “a Hebrew of the Hebrews…a Pharisee…” Philippians 3:5, but by verse 8, Paul had concluded that all he’d accomplished in his own strength was, “…but dung.” So when in Acts 19:26, it was said of him, “This man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods,” the apostle was able to stand against the lies!
Paul was able to continue to proclaim Jesus boldly. Though he stood before judges who misunderstood and maligned him, he remained faithful. Though he faced hardship and imprisonment and torture and ultimately death for doing so, he would not be silent! Like him, may we not be intimidated by erroneous perceptions of ourselves or our motives. Though our faith may be maligned, our motives distorted, may we be emboldened by the truth we bear to steadfastly declare it to the lost—no matter what the cost!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Another Bout with Another Problem
November 3
Another bout with another problem. The cycle seems endless. The enemy proverbially, ‘’comes in like a flood,’’ and the Lord, ‘‘raises up a standard against him’’ Isaiah 59:19, according to His promise. The believer has experienced the faithfulness of God many times, but he is weary.
The evil one plays upon his understanding of the human propensity to become exhausted under the pressure of trial—and he understands that if he can simply remind a believer of how many battles he’s already fought, wear him down to the point of rendering him unfit for the current battle, he’ll do it!
Jesus understands our frame far better than His old nemesis the devil, for He has Himself walked in a tabernacle of flesh. He knows what it’s like to be weary—without bending. Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted—without succumbing. Because He’s borne our grief and sorrow, He can succor us when we are bowed under the weight of all that besets us.
In I Peter 2:21, the apostle reminds us that, “You were called to this because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so you should follow in His steps.” Peter couldn’t overcome his problems alone. He needed Jesus to attain victory. The Lord knows you can’t gain mastery over your many battles on your own either. As He helped Peter, Jesus will help you—no matter what you face.
Another bout with another problem. The cycle seems endless. The enemy proverbially, ‘’comes in like a flood,’’ and the Lord, ‘‘raises up a standard against him’’ Isaiah 59:19, according to His promise. The believer has experienced the faithfulness of God many times, but he is weary.
The evil one plays upon his understanding of the human propensity to become exhausted under the pressure of trial—and he understands that if he can simply remind a believer of how many battles he’s already fought, wear him down to the point of rendering him unfit for the current battle, he’ll do it!
Jesus understands our frame far better than His old nemesis the devil, for He has Himself walked in a tabernacle of flesh. He knows what it’s like to be weary—without bending. Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted—without succumbing. Because He’s borne our grief and sorrow, He can succor us when we are bowed under the weight of all that besets us.
In I Peter 2:21, the apostle reminds us that, “You were called to this because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so you should follow in His steps.” Peter couldn’t overcome his problems alone. He needed Jesus to attain victory. The Lord knows you can’t gain mastery over your many battles on your own either. As He helped Peter, Jesus will help you—no matter what you face.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Eternity's Victor
November 2
From sports events to financial investments, everyone likes to associate with winners. When it comes to that uniquely American sport, football, a tried and true fan can reiterate the statistics that have been pertinent to his team for the last several decades. In the realm of finance, markets are closely watched.
In the religious arena, there are many more ‘teams’ playing in the league in the United States of America than there were when our founding fathers declared that there was to be religious freedom for all. They didn’t have any idea of the influx of ideas that would come into the country with the passage of time.
They couldn’t have imagined that there would be other religions besides Judaism and the various denominations of Christianity that exist here in our day. Yet, the Lord has always known. He knows the end from the beginning, and He is never intimidated when His ancient enemy seems to be making inroads into territory that is rightfully His.
Jesus doesn’t want us to be intimidated either. In I Corinthians 15:58, Paul said to the believers of his day and penned for all who would follow them, “My dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” We may stand on the assurance that though governments, financial institutions, football teams may rise and fall, Jesus stands eternity’s Victor!
From sports events to financial investments, everyone likes to associate with winners. When it comes to that uniquely American sport, football, a tried and true fan can reiterate the statistics that have been pertinent to his team for the last several decades. In the realm of finance, markets are closely watched.
In the religious arena, there are many more ‘teams’ playing in the league in the United States of America than there were when our founding fathers declared that there was to be religious freedom for all. They didn’t have any idea of the influx of ideas that would come into the country with the passage of time.
They couldn’t have imagined that there would be other religions besides Judaism and the various denominations of Christianity that exist here in our day. Yet, the Lord has always known. He knows the end from the beginning, and He is never intimidated when His ancient enemy seems to be making inroads into territory that is rightfully His.
Jesus doesn’t want us to be intimidated either. In I Corinthians 15:58, Paul said to the believers of his day and penned for all who would follow them, “My dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” We may stand on the assurance that though governments, financial institutions, football teams may rise and fall, Jesus stands eternity’s Victor!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Receive His Amazing Gift
November 1
We tend to get wrapped around the axel rather easily. It doesn’t take too much provocation to render us fearful and anxiety ridden. One would think that the longer we have walked with the Lord, the less inclined we would be to allow these negative emotions to have sway over us, but many of us do.
Our ‘common sense,’ that natural attribute that requires us to ponder things from a logical perspective, declares that our fears are unfounded, for we are people of faith and power in Christ. Our common sense dictates that we turn our negative thoughts over to Jesus and allow Him to fill our minds with peace.
Our Lord Himself asked in Luke 24:38, 39, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your heart?” These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples after His crucifixion and resurrection. They were spoken when He came to them after dying before their eyes and then returning to them.
He went on to give them the solution to their doubts and fears. It is the solution to ours, too: “…Look at My hands and My feet.” Jesus is here making it very clear that He bore these wounds to deliver His people from all that besets us—disease, doubt, sin, death. Our part is to receive His amazing gift.
We tend to get wrapped around the axel rather easily. It doesn’t take too much provocation to render us fearful and anxiety ridden. One would think that the longer we have walked with the Lord, the less inclined we would be to allow these negative emotions to have sway over us, but many of us do.
Our ‘common sense,’ that natural attribute that requires us to ponder things from a logical perspective, declares that our fears are unfounded, for we are people of faith and power in Christ. Our common sense dictates that we turn our negative thoughts over to Jesus and allow Him to fill our minds with peace.
Our Lord Himself asked in Luke 24:38, 39, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your heart?” These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples after His crucifixion and resurrection. They were spoken when He came to them after dying before their eyes and then returning to them.
He went on to give them the solution to their doubts and fears. It is the solution to ours, too: “…Look at My hands and My feet.” Jesus is here making it very clear that He bore these wounds to deliver His people from all that besets us—disease, doubt, sin, death. Our part is to receive His amazing gift.
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